Response of maize to N fertilization and rotational crop sequences
2009
Nawar, A.I. | Mohamadein, I.E. | Khalil, H.E.
Six crop sequences, differing in legume/ nonlegume ratio and terminal crop, were sown in 2005 and 2006 seasons, followed by maize (Zea mays L.) fertilized with three N levels (N1= 10, N2 = 120 and N3 = 135 kg /fed). Maize agronomic and grain yield characters were evaluated in 2007 and 2008 summer seasons. A split-plot design, with three replicates, was used, where the main plots and subplots were assigned to crop sequences and N levels, respectively. Plant height, ear-leaf area, 100-grain weight and grain yield increased with the increase of legume percent in crop sequence and proximity of legume crop to maize. The 100% legume sequence gave the significantly highest values for these traits. A similar trend was found for these characters with increasing N application level from 105 to 135 kg /fed. However, plant height and 100-grain weight showed insignificant increase when applied N level increased from 120 to 135 kg /fed. The interaction effect of both crop sequences and N application level was significant for plant height and ear leaf area in 2007 season, and for ear-grain weight and grain yield/fed in 2008 season. The highest values for these characters were obtained with 100% legume crop sequence and application of 135 kg N/fed. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that ear grain weight was the main component that described the greatest portion of variations in grain yield/fed. (R. values of 0.956 and 0.899 in the two seasons, respectively). In addition, data showed highly and positive correlation between grain yield/fed and both of ear-grain weight and 100-grain weight.
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